General Gaming Article

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• Graphics Analysis: Metro Games Stock vs Metro Redux Versions
• Chromebooks and Macs Cut into Windows PC Sales
• April 2014: Ultra HD (4K) is Here
• March 2014: The Cheapskate's Guide to Power Computing
• February 2014: Supercharge Your PC
• January 2014: The Skeptics Guide to Windows 8.1
• BlackBerry Trims Quarterly Losses to $11 Million, Beats Wall Street Estimate
• Solid State Drive Price War Erupts Overseas
• Intel to Invest $1.5 Billion into Chinese Mobile Chip Producers
• Newegg Daily Deals: Asus VS Series 23.6-inch LED Monitor, Corsair HX Series 850W PSU, and More!

Graphics Analysis: Metro Games Stock vs Metro Redux Versions Posted: 26 Sep 2014 03:47 PM PDT We compare the Metro game series to its visually updated counterparts If you are a fan of single-player FPS games, then you should check out the Metro series. Metro 2033, based on the novel by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, was developed by 4A Games and released in 2010 while its sequel, Metro: Last Light, came out last year. Both survival-horror games are set in post-apocalyptic Moscow where survivors of the nuclear fallout live within the underground metro system. It's a bleak setting where ammunition is your currency, which makes for some interesting dilemmas at times.  Check out our video comparison comparing the stock version of the Metro series with its Redux counterparts above. But is it worth purchasing the Redux Bundle if you already have the original games? We took the time to compare the original with its Redux counterparts to help you find out. Sit back, grab a drink, and please don't shoot us We gave both games good scores with Metro 2033 earning seven out of 10 and Metro: Last Light receiving an eight. But even so, on August 26, 4A Games released re-mastered editions of both games for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC platforms. Metro 2033 Redux is a rebuilt and upgraded version of the original game that takes advantage of the latest 4A Engine. For Metro: Last Light Redux, 4A Games said that it made some tweaks and included all of the DLC released for the game, along with new features and gameplay modes. Curious as to how much of a visual upgrade both Redux versions have received, we compared the original games to its Redux counterparts. To do that, we used our personal PC which was equipped with an AMD Phenom II X4 965 processer, 8GB of RAM, and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 780. Our overall goal was to evaluate the look of both versions and discuss how they performed relative to each other. We also made sure to run each game at the same settings, where possible, so that we would get consistent results. See our settings in the image below.  Left: Metro 2033 settings - Right: Metro 2033 Redux settings All four games were run in 1080p and quality set to "Very High," which is the highest setting for the Metro games. Mindful of those who may not have the best GPU out there, we kept SSAA to ensure good performance. However, Metro 2033 was a little tricky since we had to make sure that it was running DirectX 11 to keep it on par with the Redux version (recommended settings for the Redux edition requires a DX11-compliant GPU). Gamma settings were also kept the same at the default level. Left: Metro: Last Light - Right: Metro: Last Light Redux With Metro: Last Light and Redux, it was much simpler to keep the settings as similar as possible since there has only been about a one year gap between both titles. That, and there were not a lot of options to tweak. 4A Games changed character models and even sequences for Metro 2033 It should come as little surprise to anyone that we saw a huge improvement when we played both versions of Metro 2033. The Redux version was not only a vast improvement with sharper graphics, but also featured enhanced visuals, tweaked gameplay, reworked environments, better lighting, re-worked character models, new animations, and better enemy AI. Suffice it to say, the differences really showed in the visuals. We also saw a noticeable difference when it came to performance, but in a suprisingly pleasant way. We discovered that the Redux version averages a higher framerate than the original. For example, in our experiential test, traveling through the market in Metro 2033 averaged 83FPS while the Redux version of the same location averaged a higher 95FPS. Given that the recommended specs for the remastered edition requires 4GB RAM and DirectX 11 or higher compared to the original's requirement of 2GB RAM and DirectX 10 or higher, it seems that 4A Games has done a great job of not only upgrading the game, but optimizing it to use higher-end hardware as well. This was something that was needed since some of the complaints about Metro 2033 involved it being a poorly-optimized resource hog. As you can see in the next image, Metro 2033 Redux features different character models, sharper textures, and brighter lighting compared to the original 2010 game. In Redux, there is also a bit of lens flare and the goggles, which your character must wear when he ventures outside, has distinct drops of water on the edges rather than this weird blurry liquid effect in the original game. Click Image for an animated GIF comparing Metro 2033 But while we are impressed at the large improvements that were made for Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light is another matter. Rather than Metro: Last Light Redux being an all-out remastered edition, think of it as more of a Game of the Year edition. It's great that all the DLC is bundled with the game, as well as additional content, but there are hardly any visual differences between the original and Redux version's graphics that we are able to discern except that the Redux version looks a little brighter. Even the average FPS count isn't that different between each version. Both Metro: Last Light and Redux averaged around 80FPS when we compared the first 25 minutes of the game with each other. The original ended up averaging 82FPS and the Redux edition 86FPS which, given we ran a purely experiential test, is within the margin of error.  Take a look at the following image and you tell us if there is any visual differences between the two versions. Click image for an animated GIF comparing Metro: Last Light Benchmarks: Here is the chart showing you the average FPS recorded of all four games side-by-side As stated earlier, the biggest difference was seen between Metro 2033 and its Redux counterparts thanks to the latest 4A Engine, graphics upgrade, and optimization. Meanwhile, the difference between Metro: Last Light and the Redux version was nominal considering not much had been changed between either version. So to those of you who don't own any of the Metro games, we would recommend that you pick up the Metro bundle simply for the story, atmosphere, and the graphics. If you own Metro 2033 and appreciate high-quality graphics, then you should seriously consider picking up the Redux version. But if you own Metro: Last Light, then we would suggest refraining from purchasing its Redux counterpart unless you really want the DLC and extra content.  Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Chromebooks and Macs Cut into Windows PC Sales Posted: 26 Sep 2014 02:13 PM PDT Retail PC sales rise up on Chromebook and Mac shipments As we've said time and again, the PC sector is alive is well. According to NPD Group, retail PC sales grew nearly 3 percent during the 10-week back-to-school shopping season that went from July 4th through Labor Day week), compared to a 2.5 percent decline in the same period a year ago. Where things get interesting is when you break down those sales to look for trends in consumer spending. Chromebooks drew a lot of attention and led the sales drive with Chrome OS unit sales jumping 37 percent over 2013, while Mac OS-based systems climbed 14 percent. The increased sales came at the expense of Windows devices, which declined 3 percent. That said, Windows is still the most popular platform with a 68.4 percent share of the market, though that's down from 72.3 percent in 2013 and 75.2 percent in 2012. Mac OS-based systems take up second place with a 26.8 percent share, up from 24.2 percent in 2013 and 24.5 percent in 2012. Finally, Chromebooks bring up the rear with a 4.5 percent of the market, up from 3.3 percent 2013 and just 0.2 percent in 2012. Going forward, Windows is in position to reverse course. There's a concerted effort to flood the market with lower cost Windows laptops in the $199 to $249 range, along with a new OS (Windows 9) around the corner, both of which could drive sales up. "Due to the success of the aggressive Windows notebook pricing during back-to-school we could see a much more aggressive pricing strategy this holiday season as the seemingly stable PC volume environment emboldens the PC OEMs and the OS and chip suppliers to make a grab for market share while the industry remains relatively steady," said Stephen Baker, vice president of Industry Analysis at NPD Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

April 2014: Ultra HD (4K) is Here Posted: 26 Sep 2014 02:03 PM PDT In the PDF archive of the April 2014 issue, you can find: Ultra HD is here (4K) Xidax bitcoing mining PC DIY micro tower AMD's budget APU and more!

March 2014: The Cheapskate's Guide to Power Computing Posted: 26 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT In the PDF archive of the March 2014 issue, you can find: Do-it-yourself Steam Box Western Digital Black 2 Gigabyte Brix Pro Gaming keyboards Cheapskate's guide to power computing and more!

February 2014: Supercharge Your PC Posted: 26 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT In the PDF archive of the February 2014 issue, you can find: Supercharge Your PC Asus 31.5-inch 4K LCD AC router roundup Asrock M8 Move your OS to an SSD Built it: R9 290X in a small form factor

January 2014: The Skeptics Guide to Windows 8.1 Posted: 26 Sep 2014 01:13 PM PDT In the PDF archive of the January 2014 issue, you can find The Skeptic's Guide to Windows 8.1 GeForce GTX 780 Ti A gaming mouse roundup Mineral oil PC and more!

BlackBerry Trims Quarterly Losses to $11 Million, Beats Wall Street Estimate Posted: 26 Sep 2014 08:59 AM PDT Canadian handset maker is slowly turning things around If we look back a year ago, it seemed like BlackBerry was dead in the water with no lifeboat in sight. Fast forward to today and the Canadian company is in better shape with losses continuing to narrow each quarter. Granted, the company would rather be posting profits, but first it needs to find solid footing from which it can build upon. We don't know if the company is there yet, however, it's a somewhat of a positive sign that BlackBerry posted a better-than-expected $11 million loss, or 2 cents per share, for its fiscal second quarter. Yes, BlackBerry is still losing money, however Wall Street was expecting a loss of 16 cents per share. Before BlackBerry gets too confident, however, it will need to address falling revenue, which dropped 42 percent to $916 million. That's below the $950 million figure that investors were anticipating. Nevertheless, BlackBerry is happy with how things are going. "We delivered a solid quarter against our key operational metrics, and we are confident that we will achieve breakeven cash flow by the end of FY15," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "Our workforce restructuring is now complete, and we are focusing on revenue growth with judicious investments to further our leadership position in enterprise mobility and security, driving us towards non-GAAP profitability during FY16." At the current pace, BlackBerry expects to achieve break-even cash flow results by the end of fiscal 2015 and once again become a profitable company in fiscal 2016. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Solid State Drive Price War Erupts Overseas Posted: 26 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT Look for lower priced SSDs in the coming weeks and months We have to admit, we've been spoiled by solid state drive price drops in the past year or so. While once considered cost prohibitive by many, SSDs are mostly affordable these days, provided you're not trying to match your 4TB hard drive in capacity. SSDs typically sell for less than 50 cents per gigabyte with prices continuing to drop. Accelerating the process is a price war in China that's leading to even lower cost SSDs. According to Digitimes, SSD prices in China have "drastically fallen" to the point where you can pick up a 128GB for around $50 or a 256GB SSD for just $100. The sharp drops are a direct result of a price war started by China-based vendors TIGO Technology and Galaxy Microsystems. You probably haven't heard of either company, but don't rule out price drops coming to the U.S. market as well. As TIGO Technology and Galaxy Microsystems duke it out, Samsung and Kingston Technology, the two largest SSD vendors in China, are feeling the pressure to lower prices as well. Both are also major players in the U.S., so it's possible that those price drops could land stateside. Image Credit: Flickr (Dr. Martin Von Nostrand) Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Intel to Invest $1.5 Billion into Chinese Mobile Chip Producers Posted: 26 Sep 2014 08:12 AM PDT A big investment for a minority stake Intel is turning to China to help the chip maker become a more competitive force in the mobile industry. Part of Intel's strategy is to invest up to $1.5 billion for a 20 percent stake in two Chinese mobile chipmakers, Spreadtrum Communications and RDA Microelectronics. The investment is being made under holding company Tsinghua Unigroup, an operating subsidiary of Tsinghua Holdings Col, Ltd., a solely-owned limited liability corporation funded by Tsinghua University in China. The two firms Intel is investing in are leading fabless semiconductor companies in China. They both develop mobile chipset platforms for smartphones, feature phones, and various other consumer electronics with support for 2G, 3G, and 4G wireless communication, Intel said. As part of the deal, Spreadtrum Communications will jointly create and sell a family of System-on-Chips (SoCs) based on Intel's architecture. Those products will start to become available in the second half of next year and will be sold by both companies. "China is now the largest consumption market for smartphones and has the largest number of Internet users in the world," said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO. "These agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup underscore Intel's 29-year-long history of investing in and working in China. This partnership will also enhance our ability to support a wider range of mobile customers in China and the rest of the world by more quickly delivering a broader portfolio of Intel architecture and communications technology solutions." The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Barring any snags or setbacks, Intel expects the deal to close in early 2015. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Newegg Daily Deals: Asus VS Series 23.6-inch LED Monitor, Corsair HX Series 850W PSU, and More! Posted: 26 Sep 2014 07:57 AM PDT Top Deal: Whoa there, playa, before you add a 5K monitor to your holiday wish list, consider if you have the hardware to game on such a high resolution. If you do, carry on with your bad self. And if not? Don't overlook a nice 1080p display -- they're still relevant and much less demanding on today's 4K panels and those 5K monitors around the bend. That said, check out today's top deal for an Asus VS Series 23.6-inch LED Widescreen Monitor for $120 with free shipping (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCPAHE39]; additional $20 mail-in-rebate). Connectivity options consist of D-Sub, DVI-D, and HDMI, it has a slim form factor, and for those who cared about rated specs, it features a 2ms response time, 300 cd/m2 brightness, and 50,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Other Deals: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 2.5-inch 240GB SATA III 7mm Internal Solid State Drive for $100 with free shipping AMD FX-8370E Vishera 8-Core 3.3GHz (4.3GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Desktop Processor for $190 with free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code: [EMCPAHE34]) G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory for $153 with free shipping (normally $163 - use coupon code: [EMCPAHE35]) Corsair HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 80 Plus Gold Certified Modular Power Supply for $110 with free shipping (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCPAHE39]; Additional $20 Mail-in rebate)

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MMORPG News

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• City of Steam: New EU Server Launches
• Wind of Luck: Headed to Steam Greenlight
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor: A Ranger's Creed
• Trove: Closed Beta Kicks Off
• Destiny: Team Reveals Priority List for Fixes
• WildStar: New State of the Game Addresses Player Concerns
• WildStar: What Went Wrong?
• Albion Online: Will You Ragequit or Persevere?

City of Steam: New EU Server Launches Posted: 26 Sep 2014 07:59 AM PDT The City of Steam team has let us know that a new Euopean server has officially kicked off. To celebrate, several in-game events are taking place to give players an incentive to try it out.

Wind of Luck: Headed to Steam Greenlight Posted: 26 Sep 2014 07:10 AM PDT Wind of Light: Arena is heading to Steam Greenlight according to the latest press information from Trazzy Entertainment. Fans hoping to see WoL:A on Steam will need to head to the Greenlight page to vote.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor: A Ranger's Creed Posted: 25 Sep 2014 02:47 PM PDT Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the latest offering from Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive and developer Monolith Studios. Clearly aimed at capitalizing on the popularity of open world action games such as Assassin's Creed, Shadow of Mordor is a compelling action RPG that oozes style and production value. But is it any good? In a word: yes. In many words, read on for our full review.

Trove: Closed Beta Kicks Off Posted: 24 Sep 2014 06:25 PM PDT Trion Worlds has announced that the closed beta for its voxel-based game, Trove, has officially kicked off. The successful alpha closed on Tuesday and servers were wiped. To celebrate, the team has released a brand new trailer.

Destiny: Team Reveals Priority List for Fixes Posted: 25 Sep 2014 01:53 PM PDT The Destiny team has written a new blog post on the official site that lays out some of the main issues gleaned from slightly over two weeks of gameplay. The priority list of items is a long one that includes decreasing cave farming, voice communication, strikes and weapons balancing.

WildStar: New State of the Game Addresses Player Concerns Posted: 25 Sep 2014 01:46 PM PDT The latest WildStar State of the Game letter has been published on the official site. In it, the team acknowledges that there are issues of grave concern to the playerbase, reassures the community that the development team is listening, and outlines several key areas that will be improved going forward.

WildStar: What Went Wrong? Posted: 23 Sep 2014 06:45 PM PDT WildStar had all the hallmarks of a promising launch: promising reviews and widespread critical acclaim, queues of players waiting to log in, and a burgeoning community that was excited by Carbine's new IP. It's difficult to imagine a better environment in which to fire up a brand new MMO.

Albion Online: Will You Ragequit or Persevere? Posted: 24 Sep 2014 04:38 PM PDT Get used to these three words. Indie Sandbox MMO. They're pretty much all the rage right now. Just off the top of my head, I can think of about ten of these games coming out. One of the bunch is a game being funded through Kickstarter, Albion Online. This game is, of course, a sandbox MMO brought to you by the fine folks from Sandbox Interactive. From the top-down prespective to the player-run cities, Albion Online screams how much it wants to emulate the beloved, old-school MMO.

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